From the wall of fog that surrounded them came snarling taunts and hisses.
The only sounds louder than the unending persussion of the drums were the beating hearts fearful of what the next moments may hold, afraid of what the fog may reveal next.
Then at once, like a surge of water, they came at the heros from all sides.
Travis was the first to see them charge.
Both he and Fielin unleashed a volley and one of the draconic attackers fell to a bolt through his adam's apple.
Travis: "Good shot!"
As he tossed his crossbow aside, from out of the fog came a hail of javalins.
Fielin is struck once and the barbarian is struck twice, which he casually removes as though they were more an annoyance than an actual injury.
Charging up Valiantly, Gorshak has his faith rewarded with a solid hit and a black wet smear on the meadow that was once a Kobold Minion.
Pointing to the Kobold, Monureth the Mift, the goliath shook his fist defiantly; "Your next!!"
Mardok, casting the last of the nuisance javalins aside Presses his attack against Monureth's cousin Kossies but Kossies is too fast for the lumbering half orc.
Holding up his symbol of Bahamut...Quinn began to whisper a prayer that grew in volume till deafening; "Dracos Luminus Mortui" and in a Divine Glow of light are 2 more Minions sent to their maker.
In this moment of inspiration most divine, Quinn notices a new wave that approaches from the forest; "They're everywhere...Bahamut, give me strength."
Before Quinn can react to the new threats however a new shape darts into the open beside the kobolds as they charge...a razorclaw shifter and before the Minion can react a notched arrow from the Seeker turns into a storm of glowing lights that become a spiritual swarm of bees that dance and sting the unsuspecting Minion to death in a chorus of unearthly buzzing.
Seeing the new combatant, Mardok snorts indignantly; "Not impressed."
Travis tries to make a hole in the kobold skirmish line but can make no headway against their vicious assault.
In the confusion of the combat, the deva is struck by a javalin in the arm.
Fielin siezing the moment draws his handbow and twirls it before the approaching skirmisher who lets himself become distracted by the display....it will cost him dearly and the handbow bolt bloodies him instantly.
The paladin swings his khopesh once more and has faith rewarded with a spray of dark ichor as another Minion is cleft in twain.
A Kobold Slinger loads up a Flamepot to launch but Mardok charges, Howling straight into him and cuts him down with the greatest of ease.
Briefly the area lights up as the deva's lance flares once more but fails to strike their shifty little attackers that swarm over all in their path.
Sprinting between the attackers, the Seeker unleashes another flight of "bees" at his target but the draconic target is able to dodge the ghostly swarm as it speeds towards him.
Morgan attempts to point out a target is trying to push through near Mardok but is too late as the Minion arrives to help flank the half orc and in the next instant that follows, he is struck by a javalin as another volley screams inbound.
Before Gorshak can react he is struck by a spear and the wound draws dark blood.
Quinn: "I thought you said you could handle them?"
Gorshak: "I've had worse...", swinging wide as he does...but weaving to and froe, the shifty skirmisher easily avoids his blade as he presses his attack..."This has gone far enough.", he continued.
With a mighty swing that rings out like a bell against metal armor, the paladin's weapon splinters both armor and the one who wears...now cut to mid-torso in a diagonal, downward strike.
The paladin then spins and barks a challenge at the skirmisher beside him before he has even dislodged his weapon from "Gashix the thinly sliced".
His foes howls back at him and charges.
Mardok, now surrounded, winds up and lets fly with a Great Cleave that kills 3 of his 5 attackers instantly in a ringing chorus of steel and splatter that fills the barbarian with ever greater bloodlust.
No longer distracted by the combat Quinn turns to the forest to the south as the shadows of a third wave begin to dance between the trees.
Quinn: "We have MORE from the south!!!"...."TO ARMS!!"
With wave one still in combat and wave two at nearly full strength, a new front may give the attackers the momentum they need to route the intrepid heros.
Quinn attempts to relieve his wounds and staunch his bleeding before he can be set upon again...and noticing a Minion as he charges from the fog, he points his finger and silently says a rosary that sees its target engulfed in otherworldly light and seared by radiant powers from beyond this realm.
Once more another Minion falls to the ground as insects of light sting and punish mercilessly those who oppose The Bloodbond Seeker.
Another kobold tries to slip passed Gorshak but a quick warning by Travis and the reply is a strike that takes its enemies head in half.
In the chaos that ensues...Gorshak and Travis are struck once but Fielin is struck twice again and is now in grave peril of succumbing to his injuries as enemies swarm around them mercilessly.
The paladin charges into the heart of the battle and is missed by all attacks that are aimed at him as if protected by the very shadow of his Kord, himself...his khopesh swinging Valiantly, poor Uxig finally sees the light and is slain outright.
Gorshak: "Who is NEXT?!"
The Skirmisher barked back; "It is I, Karukut who will bring your doom!"
Although his attack was enthusiastic, Mardok's strike was anything but accurate and air is all he can manage to hit.
With a prayer of encouragement and faith, Mardok feels his strength begin to return, with thanks entirely to his devan benefactor.
The razorclaw shifter moves freely through the combat but the primordial Elemental Spirits fail to do his bidding and shaft finds no target...but in the next instant as he goes to react, a storm of electrical energy streams out and strikes down 2 of the Minions while a bloodied skirmisher tries to find an easier avenue of attack.
Morgan attempts to introduce a kobold to his shield but they have already met and the shifty attacker easily dodges the Warlord....the strike however holds his enemy at bay long enough to catch his breath.
A rain of Stinkpots land with a gush of fumes and a crash of pottery but no target can be found where they shatter.
The same can not be said for the storm of javalins that lands mercilessly around them...Mardok is struck twice more and gorshak is hit once.
Gorshak: "Is that ALL you've got?!"
Fielin unfortunately staggers from his wounds and another hit for him could spell his doom.
As Karukut pulls back from his antagonist he is engulfed in the light of divine challenge and falls lifeless to the grass in a smokey and seething mass of burnt lizard flesh.
The paladin is rewarded by a Valiant Strike and another kobold attacker is reduced to a dark, lumpy stain.
The footing began to get uncertain with the ground soaked with blood and uneven with fresh corpses as the war drums kept tempo in the distance with the savagery of the battle.
Charging forth with renewed vigor, Mardok lands another Pressing Strike upon his foe and while not slain, the force of the attack was sufficient to send his foe reeling uncontrollably from the strike.
Quinn becomes a fountain of light as a spectral lance stabs out though the foggy battlefield but the only benefit is the briefest of illumination.
Fielin releases a bolt as a new group appears at fogs edge but they are not hampered in the slightest by the attack...more importantly, the eladrin regains his strength for the next wave of attackers as they surge forth.
Fielin: "THEY KEEP COMING!!"
The sound of spectral insects are all that Kraki the Itchy will ever hear before they fill his ears, eyes and mouth...all about a half second before Kraki fills his shorts and Shaster bounds over the fallen body into the battle beyond.
Kraki's brother is NOT so forgiving and a merciless strike with a javalin reminds the Seeker on the price of his mobility.
He then, summons extra strength, and releases Encaging Spirits to hound his enemy yet further and his kobold foe recoils from the spiritual flurry that dances around him.
Morgan notices Hsuuj the Stubby attempting to get the drop on their half orc warrior but, clearing his throat, he yells out to Mardok a warning and Hsuuj's attack comes to an abrupt finish at the business end of his great axe.
From the wall of mist that viels the forest before them came the bellow of another.
A kobold to be certain...perhaps once even a Dragonshield but now...an Elite Champion of battle with only blood and carnage on his mind.
Distracted by this new challenge...a new volley of javalins lands and this time Travis is struck in the exchange though Shaster is worse off than he from the seemingly endless barrage.
Charging straight in and without fear over the bodies of his MANY fallen comrades, the Champion takes aim at the barbarian but is unable to strike due to the uneven ground.
Praying to his god for strength Gorshak forsakes all enemy weapons to strike once more Valiantly upon his champion foe.
Gorshak: "You face ME now demon!!!"
Not to be distracted however he easily avoids the barbarians Pressing Strike and the two nearly change places in the combat.
Clutching his implement, luminous vengence streaks out from Quinn's fingertips and Zorgik the Stinky suddenly bulges, beltches...and explodes in a flurry of embers and light.
Fielin: "Oooh, pretty lights...."
Mardok: "FREAKIN' FAIRY!"
Thinking his foe distracted the champion moves for the kill but is Confounded by the eladrin rogue and he instead strikes his Minion ally instead as Fielin's sneaky blade cuts deep into the champion.
The Seeker now realizing he has moved to far among the enemy shifts his position to better tactical advantage.....he swings his dagger wildly as we goes.
Another missed swing by Mardok has Travis rethink his strategy and a few Douven's favorite sayings keep him motivated and focused, barely heard over the screaming kobold that wails out in agony from the punishment of Gorshak's Divine Challenge.
Swinging Valiantly the goliath knight lands a solid blow upon the Dragonshield Champion and nearly sends him reeling from his wounds.
The same can not be said of the half orc and his Howling Strike ends in a howl of frustration.
(Mardok feels great shame)
Taking a moment to catch a second wind, Shaster is quickly back to the combat.
He attempts to unleash the biting swarm on Sheky the Squeamish but Sheky runs faster than Shaster's swarm can fly.....at least THIS time.
Summoning up his strength, Morgan piles into a kobold with his shoulder and flattens him to a tree trunk with a wet popping crunch as two Minions attempt to punish the Warlord for his folly, but they are unable to strike him past his guard.
Travis: "Is that ALL?"...."Is that IT?"...."IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO!?!"
The goliath paladin swings his sword as though it were an extension of his arm and lands a jarring blow upon the Dragonshield Champion, reasseting his challenge as he does.
The timing of the impact is unforunate as the momentum of the blow made the Champion double over and miss being struck by Mardok's Howling Attack....quickly followed up by howling curses in goblin.
Unfortunately for Quinn....Bahamut is distracted currently and the only thing that heavenly light sears is meadow beyond the battle.
Likewise is Fielin Darkshore unable to land a sneaky strike upon this veteran Battle Champion.
Summoning the Elemental Spirits....Shaster calls for the demise of his Minion foe and is rewarded for his effort as the kobolds scream ends with the twang of the bowstring and the hollow echoes of a phantasmal swarm.
Seeing Fielin is in optimal position to strike, Morgan signals to strike with a hand gesture and the eladrin's blade finds its mark but he is hit in the exchange despite his enemies near death state.....likewise is Travis struck yet again by another crude javalin; "Aww,C"MONNN..."
Almost being the last to fall, the Battle Hardened Champion is skillful enough to avoid to avoid both Mardok, Quinn and Gorshak's assaults but once more falls prey to the eladrin's expert swordsmanship and a riposte puts the Dragonshield down for good.
Now alone and surrounded, the last kobold, one would think, is obviously going to run..but instead charges snarling at his foe but is caught by Gorshak's khopesh ending the massive melee.
Now bloodied and breathing heavy, the party turns to the mysterious new stranger and wonders if he might now turn on them now.
Looking about at the maimed and the dying all around them Travis is shocked; "Would you look at them all....they just kept coming...I didn't think they would ever stop."
Gorshak: "Well, I tell you what I wish would stop....THOSE-STUPID-FREAKIN'-DRUMMMSSSSSS!!!"
As the goliath's words seem to echo out over the water that forms before the waterfalls in front of them, the drums stop almost almost as if on cue.
Travis: "Alriiiight, I'm gonna pretend THAT wasn't creepy...."
Quinn: "Look, you can clearly see them running behind the waterfall."
Perhaps they about to mount another attack....perhaps they have stopped to prepare an ambush...perhaps they too are afraid to do anything?
Mardok: "Well, there is only ONE way to find out..."
He looks to the silent, bloodied and wounded group behind him....you could hear a "pin" drop.
Mardok:"...or not..." he paused "...Perhaps, we could withdraw...regroup and catch our breath."
The entire party simultaniously smiles & concurs over laboured breathing and they slowly pull back from the waterfalls before them and are quickly lost within the treeline that hugs the river's edge.
Travis: "First people that stick their heads in there are going to attract a WORLD of hurt."
Quinn: "That's correct Morgan...that's why YOU and Gorshak are going first."
Mardok: "I follow NO man!"
(Morgan holds both his hands up pointed towards the falls as if to say; "Be my guest....after YOU.")
Quinn looks at him; "We should have our two most heavily armored fighters to the front."
Mardok: "I am NO good in the REAR."
Fielin mutters under his breath; "That's NOT what I heard-" Travis who WAS close enough to hear it, slaps the eladrin off the back of his head.
Travis: "Next time say it loud enough for everyone to hear...or DON'T say it at ALL."
Fielin folds his arms(as far as he can being wounded) and pouts.
Shaster: "SSHHHHHH.....LISTEN!"
The party does for long moments on end.
Travis: "Is that.....wind?"
Shaster begins to walk in the direction designated by the Warlord with the half orc keeping pace with the Seeker at first but the gradually passing him as the rock face beside the falls came into view.
In this ancient rock face is a consealed cave entrance...perhaps there is more than one way to skin a cat?
wind howled from the cave beyond and an odor of lizard ofal and dampness drifted from the mouth of the cave.
Mardok quickly covered his nose to the reek but listened intently to the wind that drifted out in the hopes that it might tell tales of what lay ahead.
He could not make out the draconic chittering of the kobolds but destinctly caught the brogue goblin tones that beckoned on the wind from the stagnant lair.
Irontooth: "Take any life you wish but leave the BIG one...." he continued "....the half orc kinslayer is MINE!"
Peering into the cave, the barbarian could barely make out the hiding form of the kobold within....cautious not to arouse the enemy, he made his discovery known to the entire party.
Quinn decided no battle can move forward without the proper "illumination"...and reaching into a pouch, he pulled out a sunrod....activated it and then threw it right in front of the only attacker they could see.
This instead illuminated the other Five Minions right beside him and due to the bright light, they were no longer inclined to be pleasant.
With draconic hissing war cries the kobolds surged forth at the cave entrance...but fortunately with both Mardok and Gorshak at the entrance...it was effectively blocked.
Gorshak: "Oh, for F@%KS sake!!"
A volley of spears and javalins streak at our heros but fail to hit their marks except one that manages to strike the paladin.
(Kord does NOT have a sence of HUMOR...consider THIS a warning!)
Gorshak charges up and swings Valiantly as the kobolds surge forward again once more and the impact lifts the target "off" the ground but fails to put him "below" ground, however bloodied by the strike, he will not underestimate the goliath ever again.
Mardok's Howling Strike, while frightening to behold, results in little more than a very loud Howling Echo as he is unable to hit the skirmisher before him.
In the back, Gorshak can make out the massive fat goblin that, even now, charges towards them.
Travis points out to the barbarian that Svok the Impatient is getting too close for comfort....in responce, Mardok hooks the Minion with his great axe and simply swings him head first to the cave wall beside him with a loud, wet pop.
Travis smiles and then immediately runs towards the waterfall knowing that he will never get passed the goliath and half orc but still wanting to be in the combat.
Both Shaster and Fielin see Morgan do this and immediately follow the Warlord's lead.
While all 3 step through the sheets of water, a group of Minions, a Skirmisher and a pair of Dragonshields charge at them from the darkness beyond with a howl of alarm (to the wyrmpriest they protect) and a war cry.
Even with a wall of blades, the kobold defenders are unable to hit their foes...but the massive Irontooth just draws his battle axes and begins to swing with reckless abandon...drawing blood from both barbarian and paladin alike.
Mardok now realizes he finally faces a foe "worthy" of his axe blade.
Quinn shouts out a prayer to the heavens and a shower of light blinds and scars the Minion who drops in a smoldering heap before Mardok.
Quinn: "LANCE OF FAITH"
Both Fielin and Travis unleash another volley of bolts and both manage to hit home on the now bloodied skirmisher who charges Shaster the Seeker.
Mardok lets a battle cry build and releases both sound as swing as one but Irontooth proves a tough opponent...so tough he continues his attack by Pressing his assault but he has unfortunately pressed his luck and is unable to hit the goblin Elite.
Irontooth: "BAH...IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO KINSLAYER?!"
Distracted by Mardok, Gorshak hopes to capitalize on the moment and praying to his god for strength he swings Valiantly at his foe not once but twice and hits with increasing force each time he lands a blow.
The paladin laughs victoriously at the bulging goblin.
Quinn now seeing all the kobolds have come out to face their champions, turns to one of his more powerful spells...The Divine Glow.
3 minions are killed instantly by the heavenly assault but the remaining skirmisher clings to life by the barest of threads.
In a careless moment, Mardok become struck by a spear...as he takes stock of the injury he his struck squarely by Irontooth's battle axe again and is sent bloodied from the wound.
Fielin is also struck during the exchange and Travis is hit so solidly that he was rattled by the force of the blow.
A Sly Flourish by Fielin's blade manages to find its mark and cuts down the approaching Skirmisher before he can intercept Shaster.
Mardok luges at his goblin foe with a Howl and lands a ferocious blow and follows up with a Furious Assault on the goblin Elite that sends the green skinned opponent into a Bloodborn Frenzy....axe blades spinning as he screams in frothy, crazed abandon.
Shaster squeezes through the hole in the kobold line made by Fielin and in doing so sets himself up for a attack using the primal Elemental Forces.
Gorshak tries to swing Valiantly but misses his foe for the first time in the combat.
(Gorshak gives his angry look)
Travis is unable to exploit a breach in the kobold line as Quinn sends much needed healing energy to the wounded half orc warrior.
Focusing his attention fully on the barbarian, he tends quickly to his wounds and stops the bleeding.
Shaster's arrow releases a torrent of Elemental Energy that hound and punish the Minion before him.
Once more, Irontooth's unstopable assault hits both goliath and half orc alike, his Bloodborn Frenzy building ever higher and higher as steel strikes flesh.
Luckily the resiliance of stone is able to shield the paladin from the full unbridled results of the attack.
As the combat shifts, a few inspiring words from Travis keep Fielin in the battle....then turning to the razorclaw shifter he points to Aruk the Brief.
In a a single motion, he pulls his dagger and runs it over his foes throat causing poor Aruk to choke on his own blood.
Quinn sends the last of his healing energy to Mardok as the combat draws to an end only to follow up with the stern conviction of his faith...in the form of a spectral lance of radiant power which does little to Irontooth except annoy him.
The Wyrmpriest that had been orchestrating the combat from the rear realizes they will INDEED be overrun and immediately withdraws without alerting the others.
Mardok: "GET BACK HERE YOU P#$$Y!!!"
Fielin is struck by the blade of a Dragonshield as he starts to fall back but lands a Riposte as he tries to flee.
The one who faces Travis also seems to retreat with the current state of the combat and leaves it brethren to die as too does the last of the Minions.
The only one who still fights on unabated is Irontooth.
It becomes a grudge match....neither Mardok nor Irontooth want to be the one who falls but neither may be able to do anything about it shortly as wounds begin to accumulate and take their inevitable toll.
However it is the newcomer that takes greater glory this day and the fat goblins dies in an onslaught of Elemental Fury and light.
Feeling cheated, Mardok turns to the Seeker and blurts out; "Who th' HELL are you anyways?"
TO BE CONTINUED....
